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Pony Express: How to Get a Polished Ponytail

Don't just pull your hair into a ponytail—give it some polish in a few easy steps.

By Erica Metzger

The Look: Sexy and Sideswept

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The side ponytail is back—but with a modern twist.

Make Waves
If your hair is straight: Mist volumizing spray over damp hair and set with hot rollers. Or use a texturizing spray to coax out curls.
If your hair is curly: Prep with a cream or serum and blow-dry straight. Add waves with a curling iron.

Go Sideways
Gather your hair to one side just below the nape of your neck. "You want the hair around your face to have a full, rounded shape," says stylist Oscar Blandi.

Loosen Up
Add romantic wisps around your face by freeing a few strands with a pick-style comb.

Photo: Shutterstock 

Sexy and Sideswept: The Tool Kit

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Goody Versa Comb, $3

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Photo: TED MORRISON

Sexy and Sideswept: The Tool Kit

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Hot Tools Professional Hairsetter with 20 flocked rollers, $50

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Photo: TED MORRISON

Sexy and Sideswept: The Tool Kit

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Garnier Fructis Style Wonder Waves Wave Enhancing Spray, $4

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Photo: TED MORRISON

Sexy and Sideswept: The Tool Kit

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Tresemme 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray, $4

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Photo: TED MORRISON

The Look: Smooth and Chic

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Get Sleek and Shiny
If your hair is straight: Prep dry hair with a thermal-protecting spray and smooth with a flatiron. Finish with a light mist of shine spray.
If your hair is curly: Layer a shine serum over a heat-styling spray to shield your curls from heat damage. Then blow-dry your hair straight and use a flatiron to add extra polish.

Part Smart
You don't want your hair to look plastered to your head, so make a deep part on the opposite side of your natural part. "This will give your hair built-in lift," says stylist Mark Garrison.

Fight Frizzies
A natural-bristle brush keeps your hair smooth as you pull it into a low ponytail. Touch up flyaways along the hairline with a fine-tooth comb coated with hairspray.

Photo: Shutterstock

Smooth and Chic: The Tool Kit

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Infiniti by Conair 1-inch Solid Ceramic Straightener, $38.99

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Photo: TED MORRISON

Smooth and Chic: The Tool Kit

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Oscar Blandi Mini Jasmine Oil Hair Serum, $35

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Photo: TED MORRISON

Smooth and Chic: The Tool Kit

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Brush Strokes Wooden Boar-Bristle Brush, $6.49

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Photo: TED MORRISON

So Long, Scrunchie

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Use these decorative elastics to dress up your ponytail.

Here: France Luxe Cone Ponytail Holder in Ivory Tokyo, $16

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Photo: TED MORRISON

So Long, Scrunchie

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Scunci Crystal Ponytailer, $6

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Photo: TED MORRISON

So Long, Scrunchie

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Bellissima Ponytail Holder, $6

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Photo: TED MORRISON

So Long, Scrunchie

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Jane Tran Animal Print Ponytail, $7.50 for three

Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal, July 2009.

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Photo: TED MORRISON

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